Sumati Jnana

SR No.: 012067
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Shivkant Dwivedi, Navneet Jain
Publisher: Shantisagar Chhani Granthamala
Publication Year: 2007
Total Pages: 468
Language: English, Hindi
Classification: Smruti_Granth & Articles
File Size: 14 MB

Page 305

Sumati-Jñāna
discipline. This oral system was in no way different from the then existing practice in the field of education.
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Jainism, taking hold of the people and the kings, flourished well in the North. Jain scholars also were patronized by the kings like Siddharaja Jayasimha. It also enjoyed the advantage of being a State religion. But it is so unfortunate that we do not come across any separate educational institution maintained exclusively for Jain studies.
Jainism in South
After it was introduced by Bhadrabahu, Janism flourished well in South India. Hiuen Tsang, the Chinese traveler who visited India in about AD 640, testified to this fact. It took hold of the princes as well as peasants. It went to the extent of mixing freely with the people and imparted its culture especially in the field of language. Tamil and Kannarese languages were strengthened by the Jains who created monumental works. The beautiful temples constructed by them reveal the fact that the Digambara sect was more extensive.
The support Jainism enjoyed from the people and the princesses in South India had its advantages. They could establish many centres of learning, Monasteries, Bhandaras and Temples. This was followed by vigorous literary activity by scholars like Bhadrabahu, Devandhi, Hemacandra, Udyotanasuri, Kundakunda, Samanta Bhadra, Jinasena, Akalanka, Pujyapada, Prabhacandra, and Vasupujyasiddhantadeva. To establish the Jaina faith on a firm ground, they conducted debates and discussions with the rival sects. It seems that the Digambaras and Svetambaras also had to discuss many things between their sects. Decline of Jainism
The Bhakti movement that emerged in South paved the way for the in the decline of Jainism. Though the Bhakti leaders, in the beginning, were not hostile towards other Churches, the later leaders positively condemned other religions with a view to raise the dignity of Hinduism. The kings who embraced Jainism were again brought back to the Hindu fold by the miracles performed by Nayanmars and Alvaras. The advent of Sri Sankara, Ramanuja, Madhva and others into the field of religion sounded a death-knell to Jainism and Buddhism.
Aims of Jain Education
The Jains did not seem to have had their own educational policy. Their entire education centered round religion only. They bestowed greater attention on monarchism. The Angas and Mulasutras were taken care of17. As every religion aims at Moksa or Liberation from the misery of this world, it mainly concentrates first on the religious life only and after getting established firmly it thinks of secular studies. Same was the case with Buddhism.
Diksa and Uvatthavana
Whoever wished to enter the order of the Church, he was given initiation, of course, after enquiring all details about his parentage and intentions. The initiation of the Jains is different from that of the Hinduism and Buddhism. Deo feels that the Diksa or Diksha and